Manchester Solidarity Federation concluded its dispute with Fortis Student Lettings in July. The dispute ended positively with the four tenants involved receiving a total of £832.00 in compensation. We have delayed issuing this statement until after confirmation of the compensation payments.

Before our involvement, the four tenants' complaints had been ignored; they found themselves being passed from pillar to post; their efforts to speak directly to Fortis managers were invariably met with claims that the person was not available; in some cases, these overseas students were met with what could most kindly be described as insulting claims by Fortis staff that they cannot could not understand them.

We became involved when one of the tenants was put in contact with us in May. In conjunction with the tenants, Manchester SF sent Fortis a letter demanding compensation for the poorly maintained accommodation. After Fortis responded by denying they had any case to answer we, along with the tenants, arranged a number of pickets and phone blockades during June and July. These had the effect of forcing Fortis to recognise the tenants' complaints and to shift their position, upping their first compensation offer twice, after initially offering nothing.